Help needed, No log book DVLA will not issue one

Hi, I have a 1972 Ford Escort which I am in the process of restoring.
When I bought the car after being sat in a garage over 10 years the original log book was not available.
The car is wearing its original number plates and an old tax disk but the vin tags are not present due to a repair carried out many years ago.
The chassis number is under a welded plate on the inner wing (common escort rot spot)so not accesible and may not even be there anymore.
I have applied to the DVLA with my fee for a replacement log book but the application has been returned as I cannot tell them the chassis number of the car, I called their helpline explaining my problem and they were no help whatsoever.
Does anybody know how I can find out the chassis number of my vehicle?
«1

Comments

  • anewman
    anewman Posts: 9,200
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
    Forumite
    The haynes manual for my car identifies where the plates and engravings with vin numbers are, and for my car it's only on the plates themselves and the right hand suspension turret. Unfortunately your only way to get it registered is through the DVLA.

    I would have hoped they could do a reverse lookup from the reg number but AFAIK legally it *needs* to have identifiable VIN numbers so that plates cannot be transferred from one car to another. It's one of the things they check on the MOT.

    Looks like you *need* to find those plates from many years ago unfortunately.
  • mjr600
    mjr600 Posts: 760 Forumite
    You can reasonably expect a visit from your local Police Stolen Vehicle Squad or Vehicle Identification Unit. The DVLA issue may well have created a V62 enquiry to your local force. In due course you vehicle will probably have to be examined for authenticity, if you cannot prove with documents, history etc the age and id of the car and the examiner is not satisfied after looking at the engine number and other features then you may have a problem.

    This is how vehicles end up on a Q plate although they are rarely issued nowadays due to associated problems with ANPR and general misuse. An alternative age related plate may be issued or the car may be seized if a part or parts are recorded as stolen.

    Of course all may be well and it may be DVLA just being cautious, you'll just have to wait it out, not use, alter or sell the vehicle in the meantime (that could be considered criminal behaviour). If it has ended up with a V62 enquiry to the Police it could be a while, they are not at the top of the priority list.

    Good Luck
  • newsseller12
    newsseller12 Posts: 172 Forumite
    there is nothing dodgy about the car and I would gladly welcome any inspection, The car was bought off the family of an elderly man after he died.
    It was in the garage at his house and had not turned a wheel since 1992.
    It has had some quite crude repairs over the years to the area where the chassis number was stamped and the panel which the vin tag was fastened has been replaced but the tag has gone!
    It doesn't matter if it does need to go on a Q plate but I have received no help from the dvla on how to go about this
  • mjr600
    mjr600 Posts: 760 Forumite
    DVLA will not help nor will they give any advice about who will. As you may be aware a VIN plate can be replaced, there will be no problem getting a duplicate for your car. I suggest you get one, look around the net, ask on the Ford owners club forum.
    From what you say there should not be a problem, I don't think Fords of that age had SIN (stamped in numbers) later commonly found by the drivers seat, which would be useful. Find the engine number for yourself, that number is of great value and have a look at the glass which can often be dated by the little black dots you see next to the makers name. I can't give away trade secrets but with common sense I'm sure you'll work it out.
    Don't give up from what you say you just need to sit tight, get your stuff in order and wait.
  • bazza1603
    bazza1603 Posts: 591 Forumite
    Hi,

    What happens if you HPI the reg. Would that give you the Vin number from the DVLA records? Do you have old MOT's?

    There are companies that will supply Original Vin tags for classic cars.

    Dont put the car on Q plates! The hassle is not worth it.

    Regards

    Barry
  • newsseller12
    newsseller12 Posts: 172 Forumite
    I have wondered if a HPI check will give me the chassis number, can anybody tell me if this is the case this will be worth the fee, I already have a brand new vin plate, it just needs to be stamped up when I find out the number I need. And to answer the previous question, No I do not have any old mot certificates just the reg plates and a couple of old tax disks.
  • mjr600
    mjr600 Posts: 760 Forumite
    I strongly suggest you do nothing without having an individiual qualified to certify the authenticity of your car examine it given that DVLA have refused a V5. The vehicles record will now have been 'flagged' so if you now just apply again with a VIN number this will again create an enquiry to your local force, the procedure is an historic one and laid down some years ago by ACPO.

    Your problem stems from your honesty, if you'd have just done the things you now suggest prior to applying for a V5 then there would likely have been no isssue but since you said you had no VIN number all the DVLA did was follow procedure.

    Better to do it right now than attempt to put a car back on the road with an HPI shortcut (the record is likely to have been weeded). I suggest you write to the address below, explain your situation and take proper advice from individuals who are in daily contact with your LVLO.

    Lancashire Constabulary, Stolen Vehicle Squad, PO Box 77, Preston
    PR4 5SB
  • We have the chance to buy a Range Rover on a '51' plate. Only problem is the owner does not have the log book, he applied to the DVLA for it and they would not give him it. I checked on the Direct Gov Website and the tax expired 23rd February 2009! Can anyone tell me the reasons why the DVLA would not issue the log book. Are we looking at the fact that it has been scrapped in the past. Mybe stolen. I have told him I don't want it. As soon as he said it had no log book, alarm bells started ringing with me. Aparantly, he's going to put it into the auction as apparantly, some auctions take cars without log books.
    Thanks
  • ILW
    ILW Posts: 18,333 Forumite
    We have the chance to buy a Range Rover on a '51' plate. Only problem is the owner does not have the log book, he applied to the DVLA for it and they would not give him it. I checked on the Direct Gov Website and the tax expired 23rd February 2009! Can anyone tell me the reasons why the DVLA would not issue the log book. Are we looking at the fact that it has been scrapped in the past. Mybe stolen. I have told him I don't want it. As soon as he said it had no log book, alarm bells started ringing with me. Aparantly, he's going to put it into the auction as apparantly, some auctions take cars without log books.
    Thanks

    Possibly scrappage scheme or write off.
  • BillTrac
    BillTrac Posts: 1,869
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    Crikey, time warp or what?!!

    Third to last post June 07, second to last post Feb 10 and last post today.

    Nothing like quick responses is there?..:rotfl:
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 342.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 249.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 234.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 172.8K Life & Family
  • 247.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.8K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards